Our Mission
"To strengthen and enable Christian ministers to carry out their callings effectively"
Our primary focus is to walk alongside congregational and mission leaders through learning opportunities and collaborative efforts to equip and encourage those who are leaders in Kingdom work. We are engaging with pastors, pastoral staff, key lay leaders, young ministers (currently in seminary and recently graduated), leaders of mission efforts, and innovative missional leaders in a variety of contexts to learn together and encourage one another.
History
In 1996 a 21-member steering committee, composed of leadership from Baylor University, Waco Baptist Association, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, local churches, and other laity recommended to the Board of Regents that Baylor University create a Center for Ministry Effectiveness with the mission "to strengthen and enable Christian ministers to carry out their callings effectively." The center's primary purposes are to encourage ministers and their families, enhance Christian ministries, promote understanding between ministers and churches, strengthen bonds of staff relationships, and prevent "burnout" from stress overload.
In March 1997 the Board of Regents approved the recommendation of the Steering Committee and appointed Dr. W. Winfred Moore as its director. Upon Dr. Moore's retirement in May 2006, Dr. Donald Schmeltekopf assumed the directorship of the center in June 2006, who for eight years directed the Center for Ministry Effectiveness and Educational Leadership.
In July 2014, Dr. Ron Cook was named the director of the Center for Ministry Effectiveness, and the Center was moved to the campus of Truett Seminary where Dr. Cook served as a member of the faculty. In Spring 2019, the Center was named in honor of its inaugural director, Dr. W. Winfred Moore, and following Cook’s retirement in May of that year, is now led by Dr. Matt Homeyer.
Location
The Center was moved to the Truett Seminary campus in June 2014, and in January 2015 the new offices were opened as a part of the ministry and mission hub of the seminary. Truett Room 311 is now the new home of the Center, which is near the main conference rooms and the bell tower on that floor.